Gilead HIV Drug Lawsuit including Truvada

HIV drugs manufactured by Gilead Sciences, Inc. have been linked to a number of serious injuries. Five drugs associated with these adverse events, including Truvada, all contain tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Attorneys are currently investigating claims from individuals who took TDF medications for HIV treatment or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and are suffering from bone injuries and/or kidney injuries. Truvada lawsuits have been filed against the drug company.

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Truvada HIV Drug California Lawsuit

Truvada complaints allege that the California-based pharmaceutical company first marketed TDF-based medications to HIV patients despite knowing that TDF raised the risk of serious side effects. The drug manufacturer also marketed TDF and TDF-based drugs while withholding a safer and more effective version of the medication called TAF (tenofovir alafenamide), from doctors and patients, allegedly because the company wanted to maximize sales of its TDF-based HIV drugs first.

Truvada Class Action Lawsuit

A Truvada class action lawsuit filed against Gilead includes claims of failure to adequately warn about Truvada side effects; marketing a drug with design defects; and stalling the development of a safer version of the HIV treatment in order to maximize profits. The Truvada lawsuit also alleges negligence and breach of implied and express warranties.

Gileand Sciences has been accused of constantly downplaying the risks of Truvada and at the same time withholding TAF, the less-toxic antiretroviral, to protect their bottom line. Gilead earned over $18 billion in net profit in 2015.

According to the Los Angeles-based Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) a personal injury lawsuit and a separate class action lawsuit was filed against Gilead Sciences in May, 2018 by California HIV patients in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, [Case No. BC702302, Personal Injury Claims; and Case No. BC 705063, Class Action Status] and both demanding a jury trial. (AHF is funding litigation and providing pro bono counsel).

According to the Los Angeles Times, the plaintiffs suffered bone and kidney damage after taking Truvada. Both lawsuits claim that Gilead knew from 2001-- from its own studies and other research—that TDF was, ‘…highly toxic in the doses prescribed and risked permanent and possibly fatal damage to the kidneys and bones.’ The cases also allege that Gilead deliberately and maliciously suppressed from the market its alternate and newer formulation of the drug, TAF, in order to extend the patent life—and sales—of its existing medications that included TDF.

The Truvada class action seeks compensation for everyone in California who took Truvada and similar drugs and then developed side effects such as kidney failure and bone fractures.

The FDA and Gilead

The FDA in 2002 issued Gilead a warning letter regarding its TDF marketing practices, specifically stating that their sales representatives had violated the law by giving doctors and patients false and misleading information regarding TDF’s side effects. According to AHF, Gilead salespeople falsely stated that TDF had ‘no toxicities’ and that it was ‘benign’ and ‘extremely safe.’

A second FDA warning letter one year later required that Gilead “retrain its sales representatives to provide accurate information regarding the significant side effects associated with TDF and comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. 352.”

TAF vs TDF

Gilead developed the HIV treatment called TAF (tenofovir alafenamide) at the same time as TDF. Both medications had the same therapeutic effect, but there was a difference: TAF (marketed as Genvoya and Odefsey) is taken at a much lower and safer dose.

The drugs containing TDF include Truvada, which was approved by the to treat individuals who test positive for HIV in 2004 and in 2012 it was approved for.pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which helps to reduce the risk of HIV infection in higher-risk patients. Truvada is the brand name combines the anti-HIV drugs Emtricitabine with Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF). Other TDF drugs include:

VIREAD®

ATRIPLA®

STRIBILD®

COMPLERA®

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Aids Info states that Truvada can cause serious, life-threatening side effects. These include a buildup of lactic acid in the blood (lactic acidosis) and liver problems.

Gilead HIV Drug Lawsuit Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered similar damages or injuries while taking Truvada, Viread, Atripla, Complera or Stribild , please fill in our form and your complaint will be sent to a lawyer who may evaluate your claim at no cost or obligation.

Washington, DC:The drug manufacturer Gilead announced in May that it was making an annual donation of 2.4 million bottles of Truvada that is prescribed as a prophylactic to prevent the spread of HIV, also known as PrEP. Some lawmakers, however, suspect that the donation comes with strings attached READ MORE

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